Breast Implant Size More Likely to Give Full C Cup?

What size of breast implants that are more likely to give me a full to large C cup? My beginning size is 34A. I was looking at the 500cc silicone implant. Would this end up too large or roughly the size I am looking for?

When I decided my size I took into considerationn my height, weight, shoulder/back width, waist and hip size. Please feel free to include any additional information I should consider when making this important decision. Thank you in advance for you answers.

Doctor Answers 19

What is a C cup? Honestly, I don't know. Neither do any of the manufacturers. Victoria Secret thinks that it's smaller than Frederick's of Hollywood, who think its smaller than Target, who thinks its smaller than Sears.

Find yourself a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Spend some time at his office getting measured: your chest circumference, your breast width, your breast height, the breast thickness, the breast laxity, etc. After he suggests a few sizes for you, why don't you try representative implants on while wearing clothes that you would like to fit. Create a dialogue.

Then, bring photographs to his office so that he can post them in the OR during surgery. He can use "sizers" (temporary implants) to achieve the look that you are after.

Implant sizing

November 2nd, 2009

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It's difficult to give you an arbitrary size without an examination. The most important measurement is the base width of your breast, which tells you what size implant will comfortably fit into your breast tissues. The other issue is that because bra manufacturers vary widely with their own ideas of cup size, your idea of a "C" cup may be different from that of your surgeon. Another surgeon suggested ordering the Natrelle pre-consultation kit which contains several trial implants which will allow you to get an idea of your ideal size at home. This will assist you when you see your surgeon for a discussion. Good luck, /nsn.

Breast Implant Sizing

October 29th, 2009

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There is no formula for xcc = a definite cup size. A 34C is approximately the same cup size as a 36B. In addition, cup sizes vary widely among different manufacturers. The only way to determine if a particular size implant is right for you is to "try it on". Most plastic surgeons will offer you a sizing session.

Breast Implants Pictures

Sizing breast implants

October 28th, 2009

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There is absolutely no standardization of cup sizing so the "look" you want is much more important. Try sizers in a sports bra that are 50 cc's smaller than the actual implant to simulate the result and see what you like.

Try sizers

October 28th, 2009

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There are many diffferent methods to perform sizing but I would suggest you try the rice test to begin with. Your best option is to try silicone sizers available through your plastic surgeon's office. Bring a desired C-cup bra that you wish to fill and see if the 450 silicone implant achieves your goals.

Breast implant size more likely to give full 'C' cup?

July 4th, 2014

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Hello! Thank you for your question. In general, implant size does not correlate with bra cup size. The cup size itself will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer as well as who is doing the actual measurements. Thus, cup size is never a reliable indicator for your breast size. I typically encourage my patients not to communicate her desires in cup size but more on the actual look and appearance. This will vary also with your height, weight, and chest width.

Good communication between you and your surgeon of your expectations is warranted - choosing your surgeon wisely is the first step. Discussion of your wishes and having an honest and open dialog of your procedure is mandatory (e.g, implant type, implant projection, incision, placement, lift, etc). I have found that photographs brought by the patient is helpful to get a visualization of the appearance you wish for in terms of size, shape, fullness, etc. In addition, your surgeon's pre and postoperative photographs should demonstrate a realistic goal for you. Once this has been accomplished, allow your surgeon to utilize his/her best medical judgment during the procedure to finesse the best possible result for you after preoperative biodimensional planning and fitting the right implant for your breast width.

Best Breast Implant to Reach a C Cup

December 29th, 2013

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This is a great question as it is very difficult to determine the exact size and shape implant you will require in order to reach a C cup without an examination by a board certified plastic surgeon. This is because several measurements not to mention your breast characteristics are needed to determine the optimal implant size to obtain your goals. Without knowing these dimensions it would be tough to answer your question. For example your native base width of your breast will determine in many cases the maximal volume per implant profile that you can accommodate. To illustrate a 100 cc difference may make a significant difference with a narrow base width, but much less of a difference if you have a wide chest wall and wide breast “foot print”. Additional critical decisions will also be made by your plastic surgeon such as: whether your implants will be above or below your pectoralis muscle. These choices are recommended to you based on the look you desire, the amount of sagging you may have, and other deciding factors. I always find it helpful for patients to bring in photos from my or other plastic surgeons’ websites to illustrate what they would like to look like. I bring these photos to the operating room for reference during surgery so that I have the advantage of “seeing through my patient’s eyes” to achieve their wishes.I personally order more than one set of implant sizes and use sterile sizers placed in the pocket during surgery to know in advance exactly which implant would work best for you. Software morphing programs can be helpful in some but not all cases (e.g. doesn't work well in my experience with existing implants, sagging or asymmetric breasts).My advice is to accept advice from your board certified plastic surgeon after a formal consultation and examination with measurements.. If still confused don't hesitate to get a second opinion.

Toronto BBA

November 28th, 2013

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There is no way to guarantee a particular bra size. Bra sizing varies greatly between bra manufacturers and a C in one bra will be a D in another. What matters more than the assigned bra size is the way the implant looks on you. The best option for your body and aesthetic goals can be determined in a thorough implant sizing session.

Implant sizing depends on several factors. One of the most important factors is your breast width. Generally, your surgeon will measure your breast width, and then provide you with a range of implant sizes appropriate for your native breast size. There are more nuances to it than just what I've described, but this approach works for most women.

I usually have my patients bring in a large bra and a tight t-shirt to do sizing. I'll then choose 3-4 implants that I feel are appropriate, and have my patients place them in the bra under the tight t-shirt. My patients can then look in the mirror and get a good sense of what they will look like with the provided implant sizes. My patients like this approach and get a great idea of how they will look.

By using this technique, your surgeon can outline a range of appropriate implant sizes that will be aesthetically pleasing, and you make the final decision.

Proper Implant Selection

September 22nd, 2013

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In order to make an accurate size recommendation, I would need to assess your chest wall and breast mound measurements and characteristics. Unfortunately, there is not a general rule of thumb or objective criteria to implant selection.
Your plastic surgeon will perform several measurements of your chest wall and breast anatomy and determine a range of implants that both fit your chest wall and reach your desired goals.
The next step is to try on this range of implants in the office with your doctor. The key to this success is showing your surgeon the body proportion you desire with a bra sizer and allowing your surgeon to guide you to the right implant. It will be much easier to communicate in implant cc's than cup size when determining the appropriate implant for you.
I wish you a safe recovery and fantastic result.
Dr. Gill

Breast implant sizing

September 27th, 2011

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The more breast surgery I do the more I realize that there is no correlation between the size or model (profile) of implant used and resulting cup size. This may have to do with several factors including: the amount of breast volume the patient starts with, the shape of the patient's chest wall (concave or convex), the type and model of breast implant selected (saline/silicone and low/moderate/high profile), bra manufacturer variance in cup sizes, the degree of filling of the cup with breast tissue, and the subjective differences in patients perceptions of cup size. Much of the final “look” achieved after breast augmentation surgery depends on several factors:
1. The initial shape, size (volume of breast tissue), symmetry of the patient's breasts. In general, the better the preoperative breast appearance the more likely the breast augmentation “look” will be optimal.
2. The experience/skill level of the surgeon is important in determining the final outcome. For example, the accurate and gentle dissection of the breast implant pockets are critical in producing long-term well-placed breast implants. I personally think that these 2 factors are more important than any others, including type (saline or silicone) or model (low/moderate/high profile) of implant.
3. The type of implant used may determine the final outcome, especially if the patient does not have significant covering breast or adipose tissue. For example, some surgeons feel that silicone implants have a more natural look and feel than saline implants because silicone gel has a texture that is similar to breast tissue. Each patient differs in the amount of breast tissue that they have. If a patient has enough breast tissue to cover the implant, the final result will be similar when comparing saline implants versus silicone gel implants. If a patient has very low body fat and/or very little breast tissue, the silicone gel implants may provide a more "natural" result. On the other hand, saline implants have some advantages over silicone implants. Silicone implant ruptures are harder to detect. When saline implants rupture, they deflate and the results are seen almost immediately. When silicone implants rupture, the breast often looks and feels the same because the silicone gel may leak into surrounding areas of the breast without a visible difference. Patients may need an MRI to diagnose a silicone gel rupture. Saline implants are also less expensive than the silicone gel implants. Other differences involve how the breast implants are filled. Saline implants are filled after they’re implanted, so saline implants require a smaller incision than prefilled silicone breast implants. On May 10, 2000, the FDA granted approval of saline-filled breast implants manufactured by Mentor Corporation and McGhan Medical. To date, all other manufacturers’ saline-filled breast implants are considered investigational. As of 2006, the FDA has approved the use of silicone gel implants manufactured by the Mentor Corporation and Allergan (formerly McGhan) for breast augmentation surgery for patients over the age of 22.
4. The size and model of breast implant used may make a significant difference in the final outcome. Therefore, it is very important to communicate your size goals with your surgeon. In my practice, the use of photographs of “goal” pictures (and breasts that are too big or too small) is very helpful. I have found that the use of words such as “natural” or “C cup” or "fake looking" or "top heavy" means different things to different people and therefore prove unhelpful. Also, as you know, cup size varies depending on who makes the bra; therefore, discussing desired cup size may also be inaccurate. I use intraoperative sizers and place the patient in the upright position to evaluate breast size. Use of these sizers also allow me to select the breast implant profile (low, moderate, moderate plus, high-profile) that would most likely achieve the patient's goals. The patient's goal pictures are hanging on the wall, and allow for direct comparison. I have found that this system is very helpful in improving the chances of achieving the patient's goals as consistently as possible. By the way, the most common regret after this operation, is “I wish I was bigger”.
I hope this helps.

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